Abstract: A door module assembly for a motor vehicle door has a plate-like carrier holding a plurality of door hardware components in a pre-configured orientation, including one or more window regulator rails. The carrier seals the motor vehicle door and includes a flap that provides at least partial access to the window regulator rails. A first trim panel is pre-fixed to the carrier. A second trim panel articulates with respect to the first trim panel between an initial position generally parallel to the first trim panel and an installed position generally in-line with the first trim panel. With the carrier storing substantially all of the hardware required for the door and the trim panels covering substantially the entire surface area of the door, handling and assembly operations are minimized.

Abstract: An automotive component (10) and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The component (10) comprises a core portion (14) formed of a first material and a second portion (18) integral with the core portion (14) and formed of a second material. In one illustrated embodiment, the first and second materials have different material property characteristics. For example, the first material can be made of a relatively harder plastic material than the second material made of a softtouch plastic material. The method for manufacturing the component comprises the steps of injecting the first material into a first cavity of a mold to form the core portion (14), altering the mold cavity to form a second cavity and injecting the second material into the second cavity while the first material is in a reactive state to form the second portion (18) of the component. Because the first material is in the reactive state, the second material is integrally formed with the first material.

Abstract: A door module assembly for a motor vehicle door has a plate-like carrier holding a plurality of door hardware components in a pre-configured orientation, including one or more window regulator rails. The carrier seals the motor vehicle door and includes a flap that provides at least partial access to the window regulator rails. A first trim panel is pre-fixed to the carrier. A second trim panel articulates with respect to the first trim panel between an initial position generally parallel to the first trim panel and an installed position generally in-line with the first trim panel. With the carrier storing substantially all of the hardware required for the door and the trim panels covering substantially the entire surface area of the door, handling and assembly operations are minimized.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an arrangement for detecting coatings which are arranged on surfaces of structural component parts or objects and for determining the chemical characteristics and surface properties of these coatings. It comprises a light source for illuminating the coating to be analyzed on the surface of the structural component part and means for imaging the light source on an entrance slit over the surface of the coating to be analyzed. The entrance slit is imaged in a wavelength-dependent manner on a two-dimensional detector unit by a grating. An evaluating unit which is electrically connected to the detector unit serves to evaluate and process the signals supplied by the exposed detector elements of the detector unit.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an arrangement for detecting coatings which are arranged on surfaces of structural component parts or objects and for determining the chemical characteristics and surface properties of these coatings. It comprises a light source for illuminating the coating to be analyzed on the surface of the structural component part and means for imaging the light source on an entrance slit over the surface of the coating to be analyzed. The entrance slit is imaged in a wavelength-dependent manner on a two-dimensional detector unit by a grating. An evaluating unit which is electrically connected to the detector unit serves to evaluate and process the signals supplied by the exposed detector elements of the detector unit.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a vehicular door assembly (10) having a door (12), a door panel (14), a substrate (54), a plurality of systems, and a plurality of components. The method includes the steps of fastening the door panel (14) to the door (12), attaching the substrate (54) to the door panel (14), and securing the plurality of components to the substrate prior to attaching the substrate to the door panel (14) such that each of the plurality of components is operational upon the substrate being attached to the door panel (14).

Abstract: A vehicular module (20) secures a plurality of components to a motor vehicle (10) having a frame (29). The vehicular module (20) includes a tray (22) and a support member (24) that is fixedly secured to the tray (22). The tray (22includes a plurality of receiving apertures for mounting a plurality of components thereto. The support member (24) engages the frame (29) of the motor vehicle (10) to support the tray (22) and provide structural integrity to the vehicle frame (29). The module (20) may be pre-assembled prior to installation to the vehicle frame (29).

Abstract: A door module assembly for a motor vehicle door has a plate-like carrier holding a plurality of door hardware components in a pre-configured orientation, including one or more window regulator rails. The carrier seals the motor vehicle door and includes a flap that provides at least partial access to the window regulator rails. A first trim panel is pre-fixed to the carrier. A second trim panel articulates with respect to the first trim panel between an initial position generally parallel to the first trim panel and an installed position generally in-line with the first trim panel. With the carrier storing substantially all of the hardware required for the door and the trim panels covering substantially the entire surface area of the door, handling and assembly operations are minimized.

Abstract: A connector assembly for attaching a hardware component and a trim panel to a vehicular structure includes a shank (18) and a head (20). The shank has a head end (22) and an anchor end (24) for securing the hardware component to the vehicular structure. The head has a trim retaining end and a shank engaging end.(42) The trim retaining end secures the connector assembly (10) to a trim panel. A break neck (50) is disposed between the shank engaging end and the trim retaining end of the head. Upon application of a load to the head, the head breaks from the shank at the break neck, allowing the removal of the trim panel from the hardware component and the vehicular structure.

Abstract: A door module assembly for a motor vehicle door has a plate-like carrier holding a plurality of door hardware components in a pre-configured orientation, including one or more window regulator rails. The carrier seals the motor vehicle door and includes a flap that provides at least partial access to the window regulator rails. A first trim panel is pre-fixed to the carrier. A second trim panel articulates with respect to the first trim panel between an initial position generally parallel to the first trim panel and an installed position generally in-line with the first trim panel. With the carrier storing substantially all of the hardware required for the door and the trim panels covering substantially the entire surface area of the door, handling and assembly operations are minimized.

Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed for determining the thickness and growth rate of an ice layer on structural component parts, particularly of aircraft, wherein the thickness and growth rate of an ice layer are determined and displayed in a simple, economical and dependable manner. To this end, a method is disclosed by which the radiation incident on a surface covered by an ice layer or disturbing layer is separated spectrally by a holographic grating connected with a line receiver into enough wavelength regions that a correction of the ice absorption is achieved by comparing the measured radiation with a stored reflection curve of an uncoated surface and by combining the comparison values and determining the peak area in the wavelength region of the ice absorption, and wherein from the thickness of the ice layer and disturbing layer and the ice thickness values obtained in the measurement intervals the growth rate of the ice layer is determined and displayed.

Abstract: A method for assembling a motor vehicle door includes the steps of affixing a plurality of hardware components to a secondary trim component to form a door module assembly. The door module assembly is attached to the structural door body. A trim panel is secured to the structural door body overlaying the door module assembly. The secondary trim component has a map pocket wall and the trim panel has a map pocket opening. When the trim panel overlays the secondary trim component, the trim panel cooperates with the secondary trim component to define a map pocket.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a vehicular door assembly (10) having a door (12), a door panel (14), a substrate (54), a plurality of systems, and a plurality of components. The method includes the steps of fastening the door panel (14) to the door (12), attaching the substrate (54) to the door panel (14), and securing the plurality of components to the substrate prior to attaching the substrate to the door panel (14) such that each of the plurality of components is operational upon the substrate being attached to the door panel (14).

Abstract: A vehicular module (20) secures a plurality of components to a motor vehicle (10) having a frame (29). The vehicular module (20) includes a tray (22) and a support member (24) that is fixedly secured to the tray (22). The tray (22) includes a plurality of receiving apertures for mounting a plurality of components thereto. The support member (24) engages the frame (29) of the motor vehicle (10) to support the tray (22) and provide structural integrity to the vehicle frame (29). The module (20) may be pre-assembled prior to installation to the vehicle frame (29).

Abstract: A method for assembling a motor vehicle door includes the steps of affixing a plurality of hardware components to a secondary trim component to form a door module assembly. The door module assembly is attached to the structural door body. A trim panel is secured to the structural door body overlaying the door module assembly. The secondary trim component has a map pocket wall and the trim panel has a map pocket opening. When the trim panel overlays the secondary trim component, the trim panel cooperates with the secondary trim component to define a map pocket.

Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed for determining the thickness and growth rate of an ice layer on structural component parts, particularly of aircraft, wherein the thickness and growth rate of an ice layer are determined and displayed in a simple, economical and dependable manner. To this end, a method is disclosed by which the radiation incident on a surface covered by an ice layer or disturbing layer is separated spectrally by a holographic grating connected with a line receiver into enough wavelength regions that a correction of the ice absorption is achieved by comparing the measured radiation with a stored reflection curve of an uncoated surface and by combining the comparison values and determining the peak area in the wavelength region of the ice absorption, and wherein from the thickness of the ice layer and disturbing layer and the ice thickness values obtained in the measurement intervals the growth rate of the ice layer is determined and displayed.

Abstract: A process for making a padded armrest on an interior door panel of an automotive vehicle includes the step of conforming an outer cover to a contoured surface of a mold. A blocking device is then placed against a portion of an inside surface of the outer cover and a rigid substrate if formed against the inside of the outer cover and about the blocking device providing a support structure for the outer cover. The blocking device is then removed from the outer cover and mold to form a cavity in the substrate defined by a portion of the outer cover. A resilient foam pad is inserted or formed within the cavity to provide local padded support to the outer cover.

Abstract: A process for making a padded armrest on an interior door panel of an automotive vehicle includes the step of conforming an outer cover to a contoured surface of a mold. A blocking device is then placed against a portion of an inside surface of the outer cover and a rigid substrate if formed against the inside of the outer cover and about the blocking device providing a support structure for the outer cover. The blocking device is then removed from the outer cover and mold to form a cavity in the substrate defined by a portion of the outer cover. A resilient foam pad is inserted or formed within the cavity to provide local padded support to the outer cover.